These new approvals total 208,000 metric tons valued at $45.1 million. This brings the total
drought-related food assistance obligated to Africa in fiscal year 1985 (since October 1, 1984) to
$131.0 million for 15 African countries. Niger and Chad are also under active consideration for
food assistance.

M. Peter McPherson, Administrator of the Agency for International Development, will meet with
Ethiopian Commissioner Dawit Walde Giorgis, Director, Ethiopian Relief Agency, today and
tomorrow in Washington to discuss efforts of the Ethiopian and U.S. Governments to deal with
the drought in that country. Subject to discussions with the Ethiopian Government, the President
has authorized AID to contract with TransAmerica, a U.S. based airline, for two L - 100 cargo
planes to airlift emergency food supplies to drought victims within Ethiopia. The planes can arrive
in Ethiopia on November 4th and 5th and remain for at least 60 days at a cost of approximately
$2.4 million.

In fiscal year 1984 the United States provided more than 500,000 metric tons of emergency food
to more than 25 African countries. The value of the food exceeded $173 million for fiscal year
1984.

The President is committed to addressing the drought emergency on an Africa-wide basis. In
Ethiopia, the problem has largely been on the Ethiopian side, reflected in an inability or
unwillingness to get the goods to the people in need. There are some signs of improvement
now.

We note that the Soviet Union has announced that it will provide some limited transportation
assistance to help deliver food in Ethiopia. We hope this means a basic change in Soviet policy.
Their record has been one of overwhelmingly military-oriented programs in the Third World, with
little assistance in terms of aid and development.